Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have destroyed three major detention facilities operated by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists deep inside the Timbuktu Triangle, marking a significant breakthrough in counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
The operation, carried out over the past two weeks under Operation Desert Sanity V, led to the capture and demolition of the facilities hidden within the forested Timbuktu Triangle in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
This was made known in a statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, Lt. Sani Uba, on Tuesday night.
The area, which stretches across parts of Borno and Yobe states, has long been regarded as a stronghold and inner sanctuary of terrorist elements.
According to the statement, the facilities—uncovered between 21 January 2026 and the present—had the capacity to hold up to 300 detainees, underscoring their strategic importance to ISWAP’s operations.
Sustained offensive pressure and intelligence-driven manoeuvres reportedly forced the terrorists to abandon the sites, exposing them to advancing troops.
The military said the operation directly resulted in the escape of more than 70 captives previously held by ISWAP.
Several of the escapees later resurfaced in communities including Goniri, Buratai and Mandaragirau.
Their accounts corroborated claims that the captives fled during intense gun battles between terrorists and Nigerian troops.
One of the escapees, Malam Jidda Ba Jidda, a native of Kufi village near Buratai in Biu Local Government Area, said he was abducted on 22 December 2025 and managed to escape during a gun duel as troops advanced into the Timbuktu Triangle.
During the encounters, ISWAP reportedly suffered heavy losses. No fewer than 32 fighters were neutralised, including two Qaids and three Munzirs, while several others sustained serious injuries during fierce engagements with OPHK troops.
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After a thorough clearance of the area, the three detention facilities were deliberately demolished to prevent any future reoccupation by the terrorists.
The military described the operation as successful and incident-free, highlighting the professionalism, discipline and combat effectiveness of the troops involved.
Military authorities said the destruction of the detention camps goes beyond a tactical victory, as it degrades ISWAP’s internal enforcement system, disrupts its ability to detain civilians and collect ransom, and further limits its freedom of action.
The escape of numerous detainees is also expected to weaken the group’s control over local populations and provide valuable intelligence for ongoing operations.
While noting that the overall security situation in the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, the military assured that troop morale remains high and that efforts will continue to deny terrorists safe havens and restore lasting peace and security across the North East.
